Inam leaves key posts amid doping

Former world champion steps down as PWF secretary, athletes commission chairman

LAHORE:

Pakistan’s ace-wrestler and administrator Muhammad Inam Butt has voluntarily stepped down from his positions as Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) secretary and chairman Pakistan Olympic Association’s (POA) Athletes Commission due to pending decision in his doping case.

Butt said on Wednesday that he had informed the PWF president and POA authorities of his decision, which he described as being in the broader interest of sport, transparency and impartiality.

“Considering the current situation, I have decided to voluntarily step down from the positions of PWF Secretary General and POA Athletes Commission,” Butt said.

“I have taken this decision in the wider interest of sports, transparency and impartiality, so that all related matters can proceed fairly and the interests of Pakistan wrestling and its athletes are not affected,” he added.

Butt also announced that he would withdraw from the Asian Games in Japan, where he had been due to serve as a coach. The Games are scheduled to begin on September 19.

A decision on his doping case by the relevant anti-doping authorities and the world governing body United World Wrestling (UWW) is expected in the coming days.

Butt said he wanted to remain away from all wrestling-related activities until the matter was resolved.

Pakistan will now have only one official accompanying its wrestling team at the Asian Games. Arshad Sattar, who was initially part of the delegation as manager, will also take over coaching duties in Butt's absence.

Four Pakistani wrestlers will compete at the Games including Muhammad Abdullah (65kg), Inayatullah (74kg), Nouman Zaka (86kg) and Muhammad Gulzar (97kg).

The national wrestling team's training camp is under way in Islamabad under coaches Usman Shahid and Azhar Hussain.

The team is scheduled to travel to Japan on September 27, with wrestling competitions set to take place on October 3.